Topically Applied Tretinoin in the Treatment of Trichostasis Spinulosa
September 1973
in “
Archives of dermatology
”
TLDR Applying a tretinoin cream can remove hair plugs and treat trichostasis spinulosa.
Trichostasis spinulosa, characterized by clusters of retained hairs in hyperkeratotic sebaceous follicles leading to dark plugs mainly on the nose, was common, especially among the elderly, and often went unrecognized by dermatologists. The study found that daily topical application of a 0.05% tretinoin solution effectively expelled the hair plugs and eradicated the disorder's manifestations.